by Liz Gumbinner | Back to School Shopping, School Gear
When we look for cool backpacks for teens, it’s not enough for them to just be, you know, cool. As kids head to middle school or high school— especially after a whole year at home more or less (sigh) — they need bigger, sturdier backpacks, better shoulder...
by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings
This is a terrific time to find some cool backyard water toys for the kids, because they’re all on sale, and let’s be honest, we’re all feeling the heat this summer. Back in 2020 we first shared our favorite backyard water toys when we were all stuck...
by Caroline Siegrist | Kid Style
One of my favorite things about taking my son to swim lessons is seeing all the fun swim googles for kids that have become so popular over the last few years. Eyelashes goggles! Rhinestone goggles! Shark’s teeth goggles! Sequined goggles! Where were these when I...
by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings
When I send care packages to my boys at summer camp, I generally include snacks and silly toys for them to goof around with. And in Liz’s post packed with the best ideas for summer camp care packages, she talks a lot about sending fun board games the whole bunk...
by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks
We are still celebrating the return to summer camp around here. And I am celebrating the joy of putting together summer camp care packages for my tweens and teens! The chance to run around with friends, swim, be silly, stay up too late, fill up their MadLibs with...
by Liz Gumbinner | Tips + Tricks, Kids, Tech CMP-Style
With high school graduation time here, I’ve been getting so many questions from friends about appropriate high school graduation gift ideas that kids will actually want. So I’ve been asking around, and the answer is most often, “cash.” Followed...
by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast, Books for Kids
Sometimes kids get in trouble, not because they’re doing bad, but because they want to do good, though they just haven’t quite figured out all the boundaries yet. It’s such a good reminder for parents. It also happens to be the premise of the...
by Kate Etue | Books for Kids
It’s spring! Or as this homeschool mom thinks of it, spring book season! So many of us are relieved to have made it through this winter and reap the rewards of longer days, warmer weather, outdoor grilling, maybe some backyard camping, and of course, flowers...
by Cool Mom Team | Tips + Tricks, Baby, Kids
Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten terrible parenting advice! Wait, all of you who have kids? Ha, yes. Of course all of us have. It’s like a rite of passage for new parents. But the good thing is, with some perspective and guidance, you can help...
by Christina Refford | Kids, Easter Gifts, Toys + Playthings
We love finding cool, creative Easter basket ideas for kids that are still affordable. I mean, yes, there are always jellybeans and Peeps, but maybe consider some of these cool Easter basket ideas under $20 as ideas that can be a little more special — after all,...
by Liz Gumbinner | Baby, Easter Gifts, Toys + Playthings
Looking for cute Easter gifts for a baby’s first (or second) Easter is always so fun. So much cuteness! So much pastel! So many rabbits! And the best part is, you can save all the good chocolate for yourself. We skipped the fussy baby bow ties and itchy...
by Liz Gumbinner | Kids, Tips + Tricks
I am what you’d call a camp evangelist, especially after seeing all the ways summer camp has helped my kids grow. And I’ve had a long time to be able to see that growth — our youngest is about to finish her ninth (!) year at the same camp, while her...